We Don’t Fall Sick From Germs Anymore, We Fall Sick From Our Habits
For decades, India’s biggest health challenge was against infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and waterborne diseases. Hospitals were full of patients battling infections, and public health systems were focused on cleaning, vaccinations and access to basic care. This picture is changing rapidly, especially in urban India.
Today, doctors in different cities see a clear change. Fewer patients are presenting with infectious diseases and many more are being diagnosed with cancer and other lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases. This transition is not sudden. It is being built quietly alongside urban growth.
Apollo Hospitals Surgical Oncologist Dr. “Lifestyle cancers don’t appear suddenly; they grow with our daily choices,” says Ajesh Raj Saxena. He explains that, in addition to comfort, city life also brings with it unhealthy diet, decreased physical activity, tobacco use, pollution and even unsafe food. “The real change in India today is that we no longer get sick just from infections; we get sick because of our daily habits.”
Doctors agree that one reason for the decline in infectious diseases is India’s progress in public health. Radiation Oncologist Dr Sandeep Kumar Tula points out that vaccination programmes, better hygiene, access to clean drinking water and wider availability of antibiotics play an important role. “Older diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis were common. Over time, more people sought help early because people knew that these diseases could be treated and healthcare was accessible. So infectious diseases gradually decreased,” he says.
However, while infections decreased, another problem grew in parallel. City living today often means long sitting hours, processed foods, stress, lack of sleep and little time for physical activity. CARE Hospitals Senior Consultant Oncologist Dr. According to Yugandhar Reddy, these habits are slowly increasing. “Infectious diseases have declined thanks to better hygiene and vaccination, but lifestyle cancers are on the rise,” he says. “We can now diagnose cancers such as breast, colorectal and lung cancer in much younger people than before. That’s the real concern.”
Age also plays a role. As life expectancy increases, the risk of cancer also increases. Dr Tula explains that aging is an independent risk factor because the likelihood of genetic mutation increases over time. Urban India also experiences lower fertility rates, increasing the risk of breast cancer. At the same time, better awareness and screening means more cancers are being detected than before.
“Many cancers previously went undiagnosed or unmentioned,” adds Dr Tula. “Nowadays, people are talking about cancer, getting screened and seeking treatment. This makes the numbers appear higher.”
What makes lifestyle cancers particularly dangerous is how quietly they grow. “Unlike infections, lifestyle cancers do not occur overnight,” says Dr MA Suboor Shaherose, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, CARE Hospitals. “City life keeps us busy, but this is not necessarily healthy. These factors damage the body gradually, without obvious symptoms.”
Doctors say most lifestyle cancers are preventable or treatable if caught early. Dr Saxena sums this up with a simple reminder: “City life needs urban awareness.” She urges people to understand nutrition, stay active, give up harmful habits, aim for cleaner air and safer food, and never skip screenings.
Urban India has won many battles against infections. The next challenge is to fight harder against the diseases created by our own lifestyles. And this time the cure lies not only in hospitals but in daily choices.
